Pythagorean Theorem

Pythagorean theorem

Rule relating the lengths of the sides of a right triangle. It says that the sum of the squares of the lengths of the legs is equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle). That is, a² + b² = c², where c is the length of the hypotenuse. Triads of whole numbers that satisfy it (e.g., 3, 4, and 5) are called Pythagorean triples. See also law of cosines; law of sines.

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Pythagorean theorem [pə‚thag·ə′rē·ən ′thir·əm]

(mathematics)

In a right triangle the square of the length of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides.

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Pythagorean Theorem - Pythagoras's Theorem

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Pythagorean Theorem 

a theorem in geometry stating the relationship between the sides of a right triangle. The theorem was evidently known before the time of Pythagoras (sixth century B.C.), but its general proof is ascribed to him. Originally, the theorem stated the relationship between the areas of squares constructed on the hypotenuse and legs of a right triangle: the square on the hypotenuse is equal in area to the sum of the squares on the legs. The customary, more concise, formulation of the Pythagorean theorem is that the square of the hypotenuse of a right triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the legs. The converse of the Pythagorean theorem is also true: if the square of one side of a triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the two other sides, the triangle is a right triangle.